Materials Management Supervisor - Inventory Planner

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is home to Materials Management Services Operations, a department that supports critical supply chain and inventory functions that ensure the availability of products and materials needed across clinical, surgical, laboratory, research, and support service environments. The Inventory Planning Supervisor plays a key leadership role in overseeing inventory planning operations, forecasting, replenishment strategies, and inventory optimization across Consolidated Services Center-supported locations.

UT MD Anderson is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. The Inventory Planning Supervisor will lead inventory planning activities that directly support uninterrupted patient care and operational excellence. The Inventory Planning Supervisor collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to improve supply reliability, manage inventory investments, and drive process improvements. The Inventory Planning Supervisor is also responsible for developing staff and promoting best practices in inventory management.

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's Degree or Associate's Degree in a related field, along with warehouse management, AI experience, demand planning, order management, vendor management, and leadership.. Experience using ERP systems, inventory analytics, forecasting methodologies, demand planning, inventory optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives is highly desirable.

Minimum $32.93/hour – Midpoint $41.11/hour – Maximum $49.28/hour
Work Location: Onsite - Days - Monday - Friday from 8:00am - 4:30pm.

Why Us?
At UT MD Anderson, this role offers the opportunity to contribute directly to a mission-driven organization where reliable inventory management supports world-class patient care, research, and operational excellence. The position provides meaningful leadership opportunities, exposure to enterprise-wide initiatives, professional development, and the ability to drive improvements that impact multiple clinical and operational areas while maintaining a strong focus on employee well-being and career growth.
• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.

Responsibilities

Inventory Strategy & Planning Leadership
• Lead inventory planning activities across CSC-supported locations to maintain optimal inventory positioning and service continuity.
• Establish planning methodologies and replenishment strategies aligned with demand variability, criticality, and operational requirements.
• Oversee inventory parameters including reorder points, safety stock, min/max levels, and replenishment frequencies.
• Support enterprise inventory initiatives that improve service reliability and inventory performance.
Forecasting & Demand Management
• Supervise forecasting and demand planning activities using historical utilization, clinical trends, operational changes, and seasonal demand drivers.
• Review inventory plans to anticipate fluctuations resulting from patient volumes, procedural growth, clinical initiatives, and new service lines.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to adjust inventory strategies during shortages, allocations, recalls, or emergent operational needs.
• Ensure forecasting accuracy through regular analysis, review, and continuous refinement.

Inventory Optimization & Financial Stewardship
• Balance service expectations with inventory investment goals to maintain availability while reducing excess and waste.
• Monitor key inventory performance indicators including turns, fill rates, days on hand, stockouts, expiration, backorders, and inventory accuracy.
• Partner with Finance and Procurement to support cost containment and inventory value management objectives.

Cross-Functional Operational Partnership
• Build collaborative relationships with Nursing, Procedural Services, Pharmacy, Laboratory, Research, Distribution, and Procurement teams.
• Facilitate communication regarding inventory risks, shortages, substitutions, and mitigation strategies.
• Participate in operational planning discussions to align supply support with evolving clinical and organizational priorities.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on inventory planning practices and system functionality.

Team Leadership & Workforce Development / Data Analytics & Continuous Improvement
• Supervise Inventory Planners by establishing performance expectations, monitoring outcomes, and providing ongoing coaching and development.
• Support onboarding, training, and competency validation to ensure consistent inventory management practices.
• Promote accountability, engagement, and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Assist with staffing coordination, workload prioritization, and succession planning activities.
• Leverage ERP systems, reporting tools, and analytics to monitor inventory health and identify improvement opportunities.
• Conduct trend analysis and develop action plans to improve forecasting accuracy and replenishment effectiveness.
• Lead process improvement initiatives using Lean and operational excellence methodologies.
• Establish standardized workflows and reporting practices that improve visibility and decision-making across inventory operations.